Tannehill on the big stage: A&M vs. LSU today

Published 1:39 pm, Thursday, January 6, 2011

Since his decision to attend Texas A&M, Ryan Tannehill's first goal has always been to become the Aggies' starting quarterback.

With Jerrod Johnson coming off a fantastic junior campaign, it appeared Tannehill's dream was going to have to be put on hold until his senior year.

But the season didn't start as planned and an unexpected opportunity arose for the former Big Spring Steer. Now, Tannehill is prepared to be the Aggies' starting quarterback on the biggest stage he's ever played on, leading No. 18 A&M against No. 11 LSU in the Cotton Bowl at 7 p.m. today at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington.

"It's a big time bowl game and the biggest game I've played in," Tannehill admitted. "We were the second choice out of the Big 12. It's an honor just to get invited to it."

After Johnson proved to be an erratic passer in the Aggies' first six games, Tannehill split time under center against Kansas on Oct. 23. The junior quarterback outperformed the incumbent Johnson, completing 12 of 16 passes for 155 yards and three TDs in a 45-10 victory.

The performance earned Tannehill a start against Texas Tech. The results were a record performance as he set the Aggies' single-game mark with 449 passing yard along with four TDs in 45-27 victory.

"I was really excited to get an opportunity to start a game," Tannehill said. "It's always been a goal of mine to be a starter at A&M."

In the five games he's starter and six he's taken snaps in, Tannehill has completed 130 of 199 passes for 1,434 yards and 11 TDs while throwing a mere three interceptions.

More importantly, the Aggies haven't lost a game since he's taken over the reins of the offense, including victories against Oklahoma and Nebraska -- two teams that were ranked in the top 10 at the time of each respective matchup.

But Tannehill won't accept all the credit for his perfect 5-0 record as a starter.

"We are playing well in all phases of the game," Tannehill said. "Our defense is getting stops at critical times. The offensive line is gelling as a unit. (Running back) Cyrus Gray has really come on for us and took a big load on his shoulders. We're just playing well all around down the stretch."

It's a point that's hard not to notice. The Aggies defense is one of the most improved units in the Big 12 during the last half of the season with standouts such as linebacker Von Miller, who has proven to be one of the nation's best pass rushers, stepping up and making key plays to secure victories late in close games.

Meanwhile, Gray has rushed for more than 100 yards in every contest during the six-game win streak, including 223 yards in a 24-17 victory against Texas in the regular season finale.

And the Aggies will need all of these factors to be clicking on the same cylinders if they hope to take the Cotton Bowl trophy back to College Station.

LSU sports the most talented defense the Aggies have faced this season. The Tigers are ranked eighth nationally in total defense and 10th in scoring defense, allowing 301.7 yards and 17.8 points per game.

Two of the Tigers' defenders -- cornerback Patrick Peterson and tackle Drake Nevis -- are considered first round picks in April's NFL Draft by many draft insiders, with Peterson expected to go in the top 5-10 selections.

Still, Tannehill believes the Aggies match up well, and is confident his record as a starter can improve to 6-0.

"They have athletes all over the field and their secondary makes plays when the ball is in the air," Tannehill said. "But we feel like we have some good things for them and we matchup well. It's a game we can see ourselves winning."